Knowledge-based machine learning for predicting and understanding the androgen receptor (AR)-mediated reproductive toxicity in zebrafish.

Traditional methods for identifying endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) that activate androgen receptors (AR) are costly, time-consuming, and low-throughput. This study developed a knowledge-based deep neural network model (AR-DNN) to predict AR-mediated adverse outcomes on female zebrafish fertility. This model started with chemical fingerprints as the input layer and was implemented through a five-layer virtual AR-induced adverse outcome pathway (AOP). Results indicated that the AR-DNN effectively and accurately screens new reproductive toxicants (AUC = 0.94, accuracy = 0.85), providing potential toxicity pathways. Furthermore, 1477 and 2448 chemicals that could lead to infertility were identified in the plastic additives list (PLASTICMAP, n = 7112) and the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances in China (IECSC, n = 17741), respectively. Colourants containing steroid-like structures are the major active plastic additives that might lower female zebrafish fertility through AR binding, DNA binding, and transcriptional activation. While active IECSC chemicals primarily have the same fragments, such as benzonitrile, nitrobenzene, and quinolone. The predicted toxicity pathways were consistent with existing fish evidence, demonstrating the model's applicability. This knowledge-based approach offers a promising computational toxicology strategy for predicting and characterising the endocrine-disrupting effects and toxic mechanisms of organic chemicals, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective screening of EDCs.

Upcycling biowaste into advanced carbon materials via low-temperature plasma hybrid system: applications, mechanisms, strategies and future prospects.

This review focuses on the recent advances in the sustainable conversion of biowaste to valuable carbonaceous materials. This study summarizes the significant progress in biowaste-derived carbon materials (BCMs) via a plasma hybrid system. This includes systematic studies like AI-based multi-coupling systems, promising synthesis strategies from an economic point of view, and their potential applications towards energy, environment, and biomedicine. Plasma modified BCM has a new transition lattice phase and exhibits high resilience, while fabrication and formation mechanisms of BCMs are reviewed in plasma hybrid system. A unique 2D structure can be designed and formulated from the biowaste with fascinating physicochemical properties like high surface area, unique defect sites, and excellent conductivity. The structure of BCMs offers various activated sites for element doping and it shows satisfactory adsorption capability, and dynamic performance in the field of electrochemistry. In recent years, many studies have been reported on the biowaste conversion into valuable materials for various applications. Synthesis methods are an indispensable factor that directly affects the structure and properties of BCMs. Therefore, it is imperative to review the facile synthesis methods and the mechanisms behind the formation of BCMs derived from the low-temperature plasma hybrid system, which is the necessity to obtain BCMs having desirable structure and properties by choosing a suitable synthesis process. Advanced carbon-neutral materials could be widely synthesized as catalysts for application in environmental remediation, energy conversion and storage, and biotechnology.

Efficient Water Reforming of Biomass to H2 via Well-Organized Redox-Neutral Cleavage of C-C, O-H and C-H Bonds.

Hydrogen (H2) is a clean and environmentally friendly energy carrier. The depletion of fossil fuels makes renewable H2 production highly desirable. Water reforming of renewable biomass to hydrogen, with a relay of natural photosynthesis to biomass, would be an indirect pathway to realize the ideal but extremely challenging photocatalytic overall water splitting to hydrogen, with favorable thermodynamics. Since the seminal work of water reforming of biomass in 1980, great endeavors have been made. Nevertheless, hitherto, the entire kinetic pathway has been elusive, which seriously limits the reforming processes. Using a designed well-organized redox-neutral cleavage of C-C, O-H and C-H bonds enabled by photoelectrocatalysis, here, we show the efficient water reforming of biomass to hydrogen at room temperature, with a yield up to 93%. The clear insights into the kinetic pathway with oxidation of carbon radicals to carbon cations as the indicated rate-determining step, would cast brightness for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production to accelerate the hydrogen economy.

The Multifaceted Role of L-Type Amino Acid Transporter 1 at the Blood-Brain Barrier: Structural Implications and Therapeutic Potential.

L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is integral to the transport of large neutral amino acids across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), playing a crucial role in brain homeostasis and the delivery of therapeutic agents. This review explores the multifaceted role of LAT1 in neurological disorders, including its structural and functional aspects at the BBB. Studies using advanced BBB models, such as induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived systems and quantitative proteomic analyses, have demonstrated LAT1's significant impact on drug permeability and transport efficiency. In Alzheimer's disease, LAT1-mediated delivery of anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents shows promise in overcoming BBB limitations. In Parkinson's disease, LAT1's role in transporting L-DOPA and other therapeutic agents highlights its potential in enhancing treatment efficacy. In phenylketonuria, studies have revealed polymorphisms and genetic variations of LAT1, which could be correlated to disease severity. Prodrugs of valproic acid, pregabalin, and gabapentin help use LAT1-mediated transport to increase the therapeutic activity and bioavailability of the prodrug in the brain. LAT1 has also been studied in neurodevelopment disorders like autism spectrum disorders and Rett syndrome, along with neuropsychiatric implications in depression. Its implications in neuro-oncology, especially in transporting therapeutic agents into cancer cells, show immense future potential. Phenotypes of LAT1 have also shown variations in the general population affecting their ability to respond to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. Furthermore, LAT1-targeted approaches, such as functionalized nanoparticles and prodrugs, show promise in overcoming chemoresistance and enhancing drug delivery to the brain. The ongoing exploration of LAT1's structural characteristics and therapeutic applications reiterates its critical role in advancing treatments for neurological disorders.

Outdoor thermal sensation scale through biometeorological assessment for semi-arid climate.

Extreme temperatures in urban areas cause discomfort leading to a rise in health risks, like heat-related mortality (hyperthermia). It is, hence, important to have a comfortable thermal environment. Assessing outdoor thermal comfort is challenging and complicated due to its dependencies on biometeorological and psychological factors. This study investigates the outdoor thermal comfort in Ahmedabad, a city with semi-arid climate in India through biometeorological measurements and thermal comfort surveys. The study carried out thermal comfort surveys of 1620 subjects spread across the city in 2022-23 covering all the seasons. The temperature and relative humidity were in the range of 21.6 °C to 44.9 °C and 8 to 86% respectively. About 43% of the subjects felt thermally comfortable during the survey. Based on the survey results, the annual neutral Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) obtained was 27.5 °C, and the comfortable PET range was between 21.1 °C and 33.9 °C which covers a wide range. Neutral PET for summer and winter seasons obtained were similar, which indicates winters are getting milder and people of Ahmedabad are getting more adaptive towards warmer temperature. These results hold special significance as there is limited research on outdoor thermal comfort in such climate zone of India.

Debating Weight Loss vs. Weight Neutral Strategies for Improvements of Health.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite decades of development and testing of weight-loss interventions, the adult populations worldwide have witnessed a continuous rise in body weight. There is an ongoing debate about how to move forward. Some argue that this rise calls for more intensive and possibly life-long treatments, including the new effective GLP1 weight loss medications, while others have called for a fundamental shift away from weight and on to a broader understanding of health. The two strategies are represented as a weight-centric health strategy and a weight neutral health strategy. This paper debates the benefits and potential harms related to the use of these two strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: While major weight loss may have substantial health benefits, many individuals will need intensive treatment including weight loss medication to achieve it, as generally few are able to sustain a lifestyle induced weight loss in the long term. Both the weight loss and the weight-neutral health strategies have advantages and limitations emphasizing the need for further research comparing the two strategies. Currently, not everyone is offered, can afford, will tolerate or even desire treatment with weight loss medication, and weight neutral health strategies may be a desirable alternative intervention offering a more holistic approach to health and addressing psychological and social issues including the burden of experienced and internalized weight stigma. However, this method still needs to be tested for effectiveness with regards to both physical and long-term psychological benefits.

Investigation of radioactivity and heavy metal levels in soil samples from neutral and vegetation land of Punjab, India.

In this work, radioactivity investigations of soil samples from neutral and agricultural sites in Punjab (India) have been carried out to study the impact of land use patterns. Analyzing soil samples radiological, mineralogical, and physicochemical attributes has employed state-of-the-art techniques. The mean activity concentration of 238U/226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 235U, and 137Cs, measured using a carbon fiber endcap p-type HPGe detector, in neutral land was observed as 58.03, 83.95, 445.18, 2.83, and 1.16 Bq kg-1, respectively. However, in vegetation land, it was found to be 40.07, 64.68, 596.74, 2.26, and 1.90 Bq kg-1, respectively. In the detailed activity analysis, radium equivalent (Raeq) radioactivity is in the safe prescribed limit of 370 Bq kg-1 for all investigated soil samples. However, the dosimetric investigations revealed that the outdoor absorbed gamma dose rate (96.08 nGy h-1) and consequent annual effective dose rate (0.12 mSv y-1) for neutral land and the gamma dose rate (82.46 nGy h-1) and subsequent annual effective dose rate (0.10 mSv y-1) for vegetation land marginally exceeded the global average. The soil's physicochemical parameters (pH, EC, and porosity) from both sites were measured, and their correlations with radionuclides were analyzed. Various heavy metals of health concern, namely, chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn), were also evaluated in soil samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Pollution Load Index (PLI) and Ecological Risk Index (RI) revealed that vegetation land was more anthropogenically contaminated than neutral land, with maximum contamination from Hg and As.

Unilamellar MnO2 nanosheets confined Ru-clusters combined with pulse electrocatalysis for biomass electrooxidation in neutral electrolytes.

The electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMFOR) in alkaline electrolyte is a promising strategy for producing high-value chemicals from biomass derivatives. However, the disproportionation of aldehyde groups under strong alkaline conditions and the polymerization of HMF to form humic substances can impact the purity of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) products. The use of neutral electrolytes offers an alternative environment for electrolysis, but the lack of OH- ions in the electrolyte often leads to low current density and low yields of FDCA. In this study, a sandwich-structured catalyst, consisting of Ru clusters confined between unilamellar MnO2 nanosheets (S-Ru/MnO2), was used in conjunction with an electrochemical pulse method to realize the electrochemical conversion of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural into FDCA in neutral electrolytes. Pulse electrolysis and the strong electron transfer between Ru clusters and MnO2 nanosheets help maintain Ru in a low oxidation state, ensuring high activity. The increased *OH generation led to a groundbreaking current density of 47 mA/cm2 at 1.55 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and an outstanding yield rate of 98.7 % for FDCA in a neutral electrolyte. This work provides a strategy that combines electrocatalyst design with an electrolysis technique to achieve remarkable performance in neutral HMFOR.

[Corrigendum] Adenoviral neutral endopeptidase gene delivery in combination with paclitaxel for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Subsequently to the publication of the above article, an interested reader drew to the authors' attention that, for the immunostaining experiments shown in Fig. 3C on p. 1195, the 'NEP' and 'PTX' panels contained overlapping data, such that data which were intended to show the results of differently performed experiments had apparently been derived from the same original source. After re­examining their original data, the authors have realized that the 'PTX' data panel in Fig. 3C had inadvertently been selected incorrectly. The revised and corrected version of Fig. 3, showing the correct data for the 'PTX' data panel in Fig. 3C, is shown on on the next page. The authors are grateful to the Editor of International Journal of Oncology for allowing them this opportunity to publish this Corrigendum, and all the authors agree with its publication. Furthermore, the authors apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Oncology 41: 1192­1198, 2012; DOI: 10.3892/ijo.2012.1586].

Optimizing microbial electrolysis cell performance: strategies to mitigate electron mediator degradation on membranes.

This investigation probes the role of the electron mediator, neutral red (NR), in the electrosynthesis process, specifically examining its effect on the production of succinic acid by Actinobacillus succinogenes. Our findings reveal that NR, when integrated into the cell membrane, is pivotal for sustaining MEC efficiency. Nevertheless, it is susceptible to both intrinsic and MECs-induced degradation. Notably, during the exponential growth phase of the bacteria, NR is readily incorporated into the cell membrane. However, the supplemental addition of NR fails to significantly enhance the MEC's capacity for succinic acid synthesis, no matter what stage of bacterial growth. And significant depletion of membrane-associated NR is not adequately compensated by the NR present in the fermentation liquid. The ORP feedback-regulated MECs adeptly conserve the NR on the cell membrane, which is essential for maintaining the efficiency of long-term electrosynthesis. The presence of NR on the cell membrane is essential for the functionality of MECs, yet its external replenishment hard. Implementing precise electro-potential regulation strategies can effectively diminish the degradation of NR, thus maintaining the system's efficiency.

Controlling systems and controlling legacies: Barbara McClintock's 1961 conversation with two bacterial geneticists.

Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), the renowned American maize geneticist, received the 1983 Nobel Prize "for her discovery of mobile genetic elements," becoming the seventh woman scientist to receive a Nobel Prize. However, Nathaniel Comfort points out that McClintock viewed her primary contribution as the elucidation of control systems, rather than the discovery of mobile elements. McClintock's interest in control systems dates back to the 1940s, and this paper investigates her 1961 conversation with François Jacob and Jacques Monod, where she sought to shape the interpretation of her work by drawing parallels between maize control systems and a bacterial system they had recently discovered. Despite McClintock's efforts, Jacob and Monod rejected her parallels and suggested that her contribution was limited to mobile elements. Through an examination of their published papers, I argue that Jacob and Monod's rejection stemmed from their failure to fully comprehend maize control systems. Disciplinary discrepancy helps explain Jacob and Monod's lack of comprehension: they were molecular geneticists working on bacteria, while McClintock was a classical geneticist studying maize. I further argue that gender played a role, as McClintock experienced the Matilda effect-the under-recognition of her contribution, reinforced by the reactions of two male geneticists, and ironically, by the award of the Nobel Prize. Control systems, stemming from McClintock's reverence for organisms, embodied what Evelyn Fox Keller defines as "gender-neutral science." This divergent view of science provides insight into why Jacob and Monod failed to grasp McClintock's work in 1961.

In silico structural studies on the vesicular neutral amino acid transporter NTT4 (SLC6A17).

NTT4 is one of the neutral amino acid transporters that regulate neural concentration of precursors for glutamate biosynthesis. Here, we provide insight into the structure of NTT4 and rationalize substrate selectivity. Furthermore, we demonstrate how the mutations associated with mental disabilities imply malfunction of the transporter at the molecular level. We also compared the structures of NTT4 and B0AT2 (SLC6A15), which is a close homolog, sharing 66 % of the common amino acids. Our analyses may be useful in the search for compounds that inhibit substrate transport. Moreover, they allow a better understanding of the function of these transporters.

Constructing Unsaturated Ru Atom Arrays Confined in Mn Oxides to Boost Neutral Water Reduction.

Recently, Ru single atoms supported on carbon nanomaterials have demonstrated ultrahigh activity for acid hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), however their neutral HER activity remains low due to the sluggish kinetics for both the water dissociation step to generate H* intermediates and subsequent H* recombination in neutral electrolytes. Here, we synthesize ordered low-coordinated Ru atom arrays confined in Mn oxides (i.e., Li4Mn5O12) for concurrently boosting the water dissociation and H* recombination, thus achieving a 6-fold HER activity enhancement than commercial Pt/C in neutral media. Control experiments indicate that low-coordinated Ru atoms with strong affinity to oxygen atoms of water molecules facilitate the water dissociation to rapidly generate H*. More importantly, both electrochemical and theoretic results uncover that the array-like structure allows the activation of two water molecules on two adjacent Ru atoms for enabling direct H*-H* recombination via the Tafel step, while isolated Ru atoms can only activate water one by one for recombining H* via the sluggish Heyrovsky step. Clearly, this work paves new avenues to boosting the electrocatalytic activity by constructing ordered metal atoms assembles with controllable coordination environments.

Fine-scale genetic structure and phenotypic divergence of a passerine bird population inhabiting a continuous Mediterranean woodland.

Genetic differentiation between populations inhabiting ecologically different habitats might appear because of limited dispersal and gene flow, which may lead to patterns of phenotypic divergence and local adaptation. In this study, we use dispersal, genotypic (24 microsatellite loci) and phenotypic (body size and clutch size) data to analyse patterns of genetic structuring and phenotypic divergence in a blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) population inhabiting a continuous and heterogeneous woodland along a valley. The two slopes of the valley differ in their forest formations and environmental conditions. Findings showed that most blue tits reproduced within their natal slope. Accordingly, microsatellite analyses revealed that populations of blue tits established in the two slopes show subtle genetic differentiation. The two genetic populations diverged in clutch size, exceeding the level of differentiation expected based on genetic drift, hence suggesting divergent selection (or other processes promoting divergence) on this life-history trait. Our findings reveal that restricted dispersal and spatial heterogeneity may lead to genetic differentiation among bird populations at a surprisingly small scale. In this respect, it is worth highlighting that such differentiation occurs for an organism with high dispersal capacity and within a continuous woodland. Moreover, we show that small-scale ecological differences, together with limited gene flow, can result in selection favouring different phenotypes even within the same continuum population.

Regulating RuxMoy Nanoalloys Anchored on Porous Nitrogen-Doped Carbon via Domain-Confined Etching Strategy for Neutral Efficient Ammonia Electrosynthesis.

Neutral electrochemical nitrate (NO3-) reduction to ammonia involves sluggish and complex kinetics, so developing efficient electrocatalysts at low potential remains challenging. Here, we report a domain-confined etching strategy to construct RuxMoy nanoalloys on porous nitrogen-doped carbon by optimizing the Ru-to-Mo ratio, achieving efficient neutral NH3 electrosynthesis. Combining in situ spectroscopy and theoretical simulations demonstrated a rational synergic effect between Ru and Mo in nanoalloys that reinforces *H adsorption and lowers the energy barrier of NO3- hydrodeoxygenation for NH3 production. The resultant Ru5Mo5-NC surpasses 92.8% for NH3 selectivity at the potential range from -0.25 to -0.45 V vs RHE under neutral electrolyte, particularly achieving a high NH3 selectivity of 98.3% and a corresponding yield rate of 1.3 mg h-1 mgcat-1 at -0.4 V vs RHE. This work provides a synergic strategy that sheds light on a new avenue for developing efficient multicomponent heterogeneous catalysts.

Effects of cellulase treatment on properties of lignocellulose-based biochar.

As the most abundant renewable carbon source, lignocellulose holds potential as a raw material for biofuels and biochar. The components required for biofuel production differ from those for biochar, so combining processes can reduce costs. Biofuel preparation necessitates cellulase treatment of lignocellulose. This study examines the effects of various enzyme treatment conditions (dosage, time, temperature) on lignocellulose, focusing on the properties of biochar derived from it (BC-SR). A mathematical model was constructed to study the relationship between enzyme treatment conditions and BC-SR properties. BC-SR exhibited high adsorption selectivity for bisphenol A and outperformed untreated biochar in fixed-bed column experiments, demonstrating greater removal efficiency and structural integrity. This study provides insights into the impact of enzymatic treatment on biochar and offers a cost-effective method for producing stable, efficient biochar. Additionally, a highly persistent biochar can enter the carbon trading market as a carbon-neutral technology, further realizing economic and environmental benefits.

A computational mechanistic study on the formation of aryl sulfonyl fluorides via Bi(III) redox-neutral catalysis and further rational design.

Sulfonyl fluorides hold significant importance as highly valued intermediates in chemical biology due to their optimal balance of biocompatibility with both aqueous stability and protein reactivity. The Cornella group introduced a one-pot strategy for synthesizing aryl sulfonyl fluorides via Bi(III) redox-neutral catalysis, which facilitates the transmetallation and direct insertion of SO2 into the BiC(sp2) bond giving the aryl sulfonyl fluorides. We report herein a comprehensive computational investigation of the redox-neutral Bi(III) catalytic mechanism, disclose the critical role of the Bi(III) catalyst and base (i.e., K3PO4), and uncover the origin of SO2 insertion into the Bi(III)C(sp2) bond. The entire catalysis can be characterized via three stages: (i) transmetallation generating the Bi(III)-phenyl intermediate IM3 facilitated by K3PO4. (ii) SO2 insertion into IM3 leading to the formation of Bi(III)-OSOAr intermediate IM5. (iii) IM5 undergoes S(IV)-oxidation yielding the aryl sulfonyl fluoride product 4 and liberating the Bi(III) catalyst for the next catalytic cycle. Each stage is kinetically and thermodynamically feasible. Moreover, we explored other some small molecules (NO2, CO2, H2O, N2O, etc.) insertion reactions mediated by the Bi(III)-complex, and found that NO2 insertions could be easily achieved due to the low insertion barriers (i.e., 17.5 kcal/mol). Based on the detailed mechanistic study, we further rationally designed additional Bi(III) and Sb(III) catalysts, and found that some of which exhibit promising potential for experimental realization due to their low barriers (<16.4 kcal/mol). In this regard, our study contributes significantly to enhancing current Bi(III)-catalytic systems and paving the way for novel Bi(III)-catalyzed aryl sulfonyl fluoride formation reactions.

Therapeutic drug monitoring in Parkinson's disease.

A patient-tailored therapy of the heterogeneous, neuropsychiatric disorder of Parkinson's disease (PD) aims to improve dopamine sensitive motor symptoms and associated non-motor features. A repeated, individual adaptation of dopamine substituting compounds is required throughout the disease course due to the progress of neurodegeneration. Therapeutic drug monitoring of dopamine substituting drugs may be an essential tool to optimize drug applications. We suggest plasma determination of levodopa as an initial step. The complex pharmacology of levodopa is influenced by its short elimination half-life and the gastric emptying velocity. Both considerably contribute to the observed variability of plasma concentrations of levodopa and its metabolite 3-O-methyldopa. These amino acids compete with other aromatic amino acids as well as branched chain amino acids on the limited transport capacity in the gastrointestinal tract and the blood brain barrier. However, not much is known about plasma concentrations of levodopa and other drugs/drug combinations in PD. Some examples may illustrate this lack of knowledge: Levodopa measurements may allow further insights in the phenomenon of inappropriate levodopa response. They may result from missing compliance, interactions e.g. with treatments for other mainly age-related disorders, like hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, rheumatism or by patients themselves independently taken herbal medicines. Indeed, uncontrolled combination of compounds for accompanying disorders as given above with PD drugs might increase the risk of side effects. Determination of other drugs used to treat PD in plasma such as dopamine receptor agonists, amantadine and inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase or monoamine oxidase B may refine and improve the value of calculations of levodopa equivalents. How COMT-Is change levodopa plasma concentrations? How other dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic drugs influence levodopa levels? Also, delivery of drugs as well as single and repeated dosing and continuous levodopa administrations with a possible accumulation of levodopa, pharmacokinetic behaviour of generic and branded compounds appear to have a marked influence on efficacy of drug treatment and side effect profile. Their increase over time may reflect progression of PD to a certain degree. Therapeutic drug monitoring in PD is considered to improve the therapeutic efficacy in the course of this devastating neurologic disorder and therefore is able to contribute to the patients' precision medicine. State-of-the-art clinical studies are urgently needed to demonstrate the usefulness of TDM for optimizing the treatment of PD.

Asymmetric Kosmotropism-Stabilized Double-Layer Hydrogel for Low-Cost Neutral Zinc-Air Battery.

Zinc air battery (ZAB) provides a low-cost and high-energy density power source, particularly in wearable and portable devices. Despite the extensive research on air cathode catalysts, their practical application is hindered by low zinc utilization rate and severe corrosion and passivation in liquid-based alkaline electrolytes. Herein, a double-layer gel (DLKgel) is developed by leveraging the distinct kosmotropic properties of ZnCl2 and ZnSO4. Through phase separation induced by the kosmotropic differentiation (instead of membrane in decoupled systems), this DLKgel electrolyte serves a dual purpose of shielding cathode from irreversible reaction products and protecting Zn anode from passivation. Neutral ZABs with DLKgel demonstrate high zinc utilization rate of 89.3% and stable cycling over 800 h under a current density of 0.1 mA cm-2. The integration of DLKgel-based ZABs into a flexible GPS tracking device is demonstrated, highlighting the potential for broad adoption of flexible ZABs in wearable and logistics applications.

Development of Optical Sensors Based on Neutral Red Absorbance for Real-Time pH Measurements.

Measuring pH with an optical sensor requires the immobilization of a chemical recognition phase on a solid surface. Neutral red (NR), an acid base indicator was used to develop two different optical probe configurations. The chemistry of aryl diazonium salts was chosen for the elaboration of this chemical phase, as it enables strong covalent bonds to be established on the surface of metallized glass or metallic surfaces. It also allows the formation of a thick film required to obtain an exploitable spectral response. The surfaces of interest (metallized optical fiber and 316 L stainless-steel mirror) are modelized by flat surfaces (metallized glass plates and 316 L stainless-steel plates). The analytical characterizations carried out (IR, XPS, UV-Visible, and profilometry) show that NR was covalently grafted onto the model surfaces as well as on the surfaces of interest. The supports grafted with NR to develop optical pH probes exhibit spectral changes, particularly the values of pKa, the pH range, and the isosbestic point wavelength. The experimental results show that the optical probe can be used for pH measurements between 4 and 8.